Under-fire Liverpool struggler Ibrahima Konate makes social media statement | Football

Ibrahima Konate has spoken out amid a wave of criticism aimed at Arne Slot’s Liverpool team and him specifically.

The Reds’ nightmare run continued on Wednesday night as they were beaten 4-1 at home in the Champions League by PSV.

That was their ninth defeat in 12 games and represents their worst run of form since the 1950s.

It is an incredible drop off given they won the Premier League title last season and began this campaign with five straight victories.

Club legends Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have faced criticism, while Konate has also been hit with very negative reviews of his performances, which have been well below par.

The Frenchman made a confusing mistake which led to PSV’s third goal at Anfield on Wednesday and he is certainly aware that criticism has come his way.

‘We have to take this moment on the chest. Criticism is part of football, and we’ll fight back every time and come through this storm. In these moments, the fans matter most,’ Konate wrote on Instagram.

‘The ones who stand with us in the good times and the bad – the ones who sing for us even in the difficult moments! Your voice and your support mean everything to us.

‘We know we need to improve and we’ll keep fighting for you. Always.’

Reds legend Jamie Carragher fumed at Konate’s error against PSV, describing the centre-back’s continued selection as a ‘sackable offence’ for Slot.

CBS Sports released off-air footage of Carragher watching Liverpool’s defeat in their studio, and his furious reaction to Konate’s mistake in the build-up to PSV’s third goal.

‘Oh my God, Konate. Oh my God Konate. Watch Konate here, oh my God,’ Carragher said.

Carragher was then seen making a call on his phone and said during that conversation: ‘I’ve f****** had enough of them. Honest to God, that Konate.

‘I mean, that’s a sackable offence for the manager f****** keep picking him. Should be sacked for that.’

Konate was ultimately subbed off on 76 minutes, replaced by Federico Chiesa, a move which Slot explained after the match and defended his defender.

‘Yeah, I found that one difficult, because up until the moment I think he [Konate] played a good game,’ said the under-pressure Reds boss.

‘But, if you go 3-1 down, I think the thing that I have always done – and what I will keep doing – is then bringing an extra attacker in.

‘I found that hard, because I knew the outside world would probably then focus even more on the error he made, but I think it was the decision I had to make.

‘Unfortunately it didn’t lead to anything except they scored the 4-1.’

Carragher has been critical of Konate throughout this season, having a pop at the defender after another error in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City.

‘I just want to look at this match up in the middle between Konate and Haaland,’ said Carragher. ‘Konate was heavily involved in the penalty again, he’s having a really tough time and it feels like we’re saying it week after week.

‘Konate, again, when Liverpool concede a goal or a problem, he is at the heart of it.’

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